Hutchinson seeks review of adoption rules after abuse caseLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson is working with lawmakers and the Department of Human Services to potentially change state adoption procedures after a House member gave his adopted daughters to a man who later admitted to sexually abusing one of them. Hutchinson met with two legislators after they filed bills this week to criminalize "re-homing," an informal term for transferring an adopted child to an unrelated family without ...

House OKs request for constitutional conventionLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas House members have approved a resolution requesting a federal constitutional convention to take up federal balanced budget and term limits amendments. The resolution approved by the House on a 52-33 vote Friday calls for a convention to consider amendments to "impose fiscal restraints on the federal government, limit the power and jurisdiction of the federal government, and limit the terms of office for its official...

House votes to stop giving Common Core-linked testLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas' House voted Friday to prohibit the state from administering a test linked to Common Core, the controversial education standards that are being reviewed by a task force formed by the state's Republican governor. By an 86-1 vote, the House voted to end Arkansas' participation in the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers after June 30. The measure now heads to the state Senate. The tests are ...

Bill to put Arkansas-run exchange on hold advances to HouseLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A House panel has endorsed legislation putting Arkansas' plans to set up its own insurance exchange on hold while the nation's highest court considers a challenge to the federal health care law. A lawmaker has withdrawn a competing measure banning a state-run exchange altogether. The House Insurance and Commerce Committee on Friday supported the Senate-passed proposal to block Arkansas from setting up its exchange while the ...

Agent: US prosecutor to get evidence about ex-police chiefSEARCY (AP) — A federal agent said an arson investigation into Searcy's former police chief has led to evidence over possible firearms violations, abuse of power and controlled-substance infractions. Grover Crossland, a head agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in Little Rock, said all of the evidence will be submitted to the U.S. attorney's office. "It will be up to them on prosecuting," he said. "If and wh...

Arkansas Supreme Court reinstates most of petition lawLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court is reinstating most parts of a law that placed tighter regulations on the petition-gathering process for ballot issues in the state. The case stems from a 2013 challenge by grassroots groups, who use the process to propose laws to Arkansas residents. They had argued the law violated the state constitution and rights of due process, equal protection, petition and free speech. A Pulaski County circui...

Senate backs expanding access to experimental drugsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers have sent the governor legislation that would give terminally ill patients access to experimental medications that are not yet on pharmacy shelves. The state Senate on Thursday approved by a 33-0 vote a bill to expand access to potentially life-saving medications years before terminally ill patients would normally be able to access them. Eligible medications have passed the first of multiple phases in an F...

Supreme Court rejects appeal in Nashville shootingLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Supreme Court says a man serving a life sentence in the 2008 shooting death of his estranged wife at a Nashville dollar store isn't entitled to a new trial. David Camp claimed his lawyer erred by urging him to reject a plea bargain that would net him 20 years in prison. Camp went to trial and was convicted of hiring a man to shoot and kill Robin Camp on Memorial Day 2008 at the Family Dollar store where she work...

Senate OKs requiring releasing cellphone locationLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers have given final legislative approval to a bill requiring companies to release the location of a cellphone when asked by police in emergencies. The bill approved by the Arkansas Senate on a 32-1 vote on Thursday would require communications carriers to release the information to law enforcement when requested to respond to a call for emergency services or in an emergency situation that involves the risk of...

Senate OKs district consolidation waiversLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A spokesman for Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson says Hutchinson plans to sign into law legislation granting some school districts that have fallen below the state's minimum enrollment level to seek a waiver from a state law requiring them to merge with other districts. The comment comes after the state Senate voted 22-0 Thursday to approve the bill allowing districts with fewer than 350 students to apply for the waivers if they...

Personnel Committee wants to talk it overOne day after the Russellville City Council’s Finance Committee voted to recommend Van Horn Construction as manager of the aquatic center project, the city’s Personnel Committee said not so fast. Personnel Committee members voted 3-0 Thursday inside City Hall to review proposals from five construction companies, three of which are local. However, Alderman and Finance Committee Chairman Mark Tripp said Friday that Resolution No. 1446, which was...

House approves new abortion pill restrictionsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas lawmakers voted to impose new limits on the administration of the abortion pill Thursday, one of several efforts to restrict the abortion gaining traction after Republicans widened their majorities in the state Legislature. The bill approved by the House on a 61-7 vote would override doctors and require abortion pill providers to follow guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. It would require women ...

Attempt to cut Arkansas Lottery scholarships fails in SenateLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A proposal to cut lottery-funded scholarships in half for incoming college freshman and change the program's eligibility requirements narrowly failed before the Arkansas Senate Thursday after opponents said the move would hurt minority and low-income students. The Senate voted 17-9 in favor Thursday, but the bill needed 18 votes. The sponsor of the proposal said he'd bring the measure back before the Senate next week since s...

House approves foreign law court banLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas House has voted to prohibit judges in the state from basing any rulings on foreign laws, a proposal that faces an uphill fight in the state Senate. The House on Thursday voted 61-8 to ban the state's courts from basing its rulings on any foreign law, legal code or system that doesn't grant fundamental liberties ensured under the U.S. or Arkansas constitutions. If signed into law, the legislation would make Arkan...

Bill to allow guns at bars, polling places, CapitolLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas' gun-free zones would drastically shrink under a bill to allow concealed weapons at bars, churches, schools, polling locations, local government meetings, the state Capitol and other prohibited places. Republican Rep. Dan Sullivan of Jonesboro said Tuesday that his omnibus gun bill modifies various sections of state law to expand on places where people with concealed carry licenses can bring their weapons. The bill ...

Griffin backs lieutenant governor ballot changeLITTLE ROCK (AP) — Arkansas Lt. Gov. Tim Griffin is supporting a lawmaker's push for his office to no longer be a separate elected position and instead have the state's No. 2 constitutional officer appear on the ballot as the governor's running mate. Griffin said Tuesday he supports a proposed constitutional amendment to have two people run jointly rather than appear separately on the ballot. The proposal by Republican Rep. Julie Mayberry woul...

Senate OKs relaxing rules on forming new districtsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — The Arkansas Senate has given final legislative approval to a bill easing restrictions on the creation of new school districts. By a 20-6 vote, the Senate approved and sent to the governor's desk a bill that would lower the amount of students a new district needs to splinter from an existing district. The legislation would lower the requirement from 4,000 students to 2,500. Supporters of the measure say it would allow Maumel...

House panel hears anti-abortion proposalsLITTLE ROCK (AP) — An Arkansas House panel has supported a proposal for tougher abortion pill restrictions but failed to advance a bill that would increase requirements for abortion providers. The bill approved Tuesday by the Health Committee would override local doctors and require abortion pill providers to follow dosage limits and other guidelines set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A bill that would require physicians who perform...

Group touts businesses promoting LGBT diversityLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A national group is touting more than 100 Arkansas businesses that it says are promoting diversity for gays and lesbians as it fights "conscience protection" legislation that critics say would justify discrimination. The Human Rights Campaign on Tuesday unveiled an "Equality is Our Business" program that's aimed at advancing protections in employment, housing and public accommodations. HRC said 106 primarily small businesses...

Revenue remains ahead of forecast for yearLITTLE ROCK (AP) — A boost in sales tax collections and lower than expected tax refunds last month helped keep Arkansas' revenue ahead of forecast, state finance officials said Tuesday. The state Department of Finance and Administration said the state's net available revenue in February totaled $218.3 million. That's $6.2 million above the same month last year and $14.3 million above forecast. The state's revenue for the fiscal year that began...